Adjustabable disposable/single-use lancet device and method

Abstract

Adjustable Single-use lancet device that includes a body. A trigger is mounted to the body. A skin engaging end includes a lancet opening through which a lancet needle extends. A holding member is movably mounted within the body and includes a front end a rear end. The front end receives a lancet needle. A stop surface moves with the holding member. A cam disk includes cam surfaces which can be contacted by the stop surface. The cam disk is configured to rotate at least partially. The cam disk rotates about an axis that is not parallel to an axis running through at least one of the lancet opening and the holding member. Once caused to move to the extended position by the trigger, the holding member is prevented from moving back to the retracted position. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

1. A single-use lancet device, comprising:
 a body comprising a skin engaging end that includes a lancet opening through which a lancet needle extends; 
 a trigger mounted to the body; 
 a holding member movably mounted within the body and comprising a front end and a rear end; 
 the holding member being movable between a retracted position and an extended position; 
 a stop surface that moves with the holding member; 
 a cam disk comprising cam surfaces which can be contacted by the stop surface; and 
 the cam disk being configured to rotate at least partially about an axis that is not parallel to an axis running through at least one of the lancet opening and the holding member, 
 wherein, once caused to move to the extended position by the trigger, the holding member is prevented from moving back to the retracted position, and 
 wherein the single-use lancet device is usable for forming a skin puncture only once. 
 
     
     
       2. The lancet device of  claim 1 , further comprising a spring, wherein the spring causes the holding member to move to the extended position and prevents the holding member from moving back to the retracted position. 
     
     
       3. The lancet device of  claim 1 , further comprising a compression spring for biasing the holding member towards an extended position. 
     
     
       4. The lancet device of  claim 3 , wherein the spring comprises one end that is fixed to the holding member and another end that is fixed to the body. 
     
     
       5. The lancet device of  claim 3 , wherein the spring comprises one end that is connected to the holding member and another end that is connected to the body. 
     
     
       6. The lancet device of  claim 1 , wherein the trigger is movably mounted to the body. 
     
     
       7. The lancet device of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises an upper housing part and a lower housing part. 
     
     
       8. The lancet device of  claim 1 , wherein the holding member comprises a projection that includes the stop surface. 
     
     
       9. The lancet device of  claim 1 , wherein the holding member comprises an integrally formed projection that includes the stop surface. 
     
     
       10. The lancet device of  claim 1 , wherein the front end comprises the lancet needle. 
     
     
       11. The lancet device of  claim 1 , further comprising a deflecting member configured to be deflected by the trigger. 
     
     
       12. The lancet device of  claim 11 , wherein the deflecting member is coupled to the holding member. 
     
     
       13. The lancet device of  claim 11 , wherein the deflecting member comprises a stop surface that contacts a surface of a holding projection extending inwardly from the body. 
     
     
       14. The lancet device of  claim 1 , wherein the cam disk comprises indicia. 
     
     
       15. The lancet device of  claim 14 , wherein the cam surfaces are arranged on a cam section of the cam disk, the cam section being disposed on a side of the cam disk that is opposite a side that includes the indicia. 
     
     
       16. The lancet device of  claim 1 , wherein the cam disk comprises a centrally disposed opening that is mounted to a journal arranged in the body. 
     
     
       17. The lancet device of  claim 16 , wherein the journal is coupled to the body. 
     
     
       18. The lancet device of  claim 16 , wherein the journal extends inwardly from the body. 
     
     
       19. The lancet device of  claim 16 , wherein the journal comprises a center axis that is generally perpendicular to the axis running through the holding member. 
     
     
       20. The lancet device of  claim 1 , wherein the cam disk rotates about an axis that is generally perpendicular to an axis running through at least one of the lancet opening and the holding member. 
     
     
       21. The lancet device of  claim 1 , wherein the cam disk is disposed between the trigger and the skin engaging end. 
     
     
       22. The lancet device of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a two-piece body. 
     
     
       23. The lancet device of  claim 22 , wherein the cam disk is coupled to one of the two pieces of the two-piece body. 
     
     
       24. The lancet device of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises at least one side opening through which a portion of the cam disk protrudes. 
     
     
       25. The lancet device of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises two generally oppositely arranged side openings through which portions of the cam disk protrude. 
     
     
       26. The lancet device of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises two side openings through which portions of the cam disk protrude. 
     
     
       27. The lancet device of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a mechanism for viewing indicia of the cam disk. 
     
     
       28. The lancet device of  claim 27 , wherein the mechanism for viewing indicia of the cam disk comprises an opening. 
     
     
       29. The lancet device of  claim 1 , further comprising a retaining element for one of axially retaining the cam disk and securing the cam disk to the body. 
     
     
       30. The lancet device of  claim 29 , wherein the cam disk comprises a centrally disposed opening that is mounted to a journal arranged in the body and further comprising a retaining element for one of axially retaining the cam disk and securing the cam disk to the journal. 
     
     
       31. A method of puncturing a surface of skin using the lancet device of  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 adjusting a set depth of penetration of the lancet needle by moving the cam disk to a desired set position; 
 disposing the skin engaging end of the lancet device against a user's skin; 
 triggering the trigger to cause the lancet needle to penetrate the user's skin; and 
 preventing the user from moving the holding member to the retracted position, 
 wherein the puncture allows a blood sample to be taken. 
 
     
     
       32. A method of puncturing a surface of skin using the lancet device of  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 adjusting a set depth of penetration of the lancet needle by moving the cam disk to a desired set position; 
 disposing the skin engaging end of the lancet device against a user's skin; 
 triggering the trigger to cause the lancet needle to penetrate the user's skin; and 
 preventing the user from moving the trigger to an original armed position, 
 wherein the puncture allows a blood sample to be taken. 
 
     
     
       33. A method of using the lancet device of  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 rotating the cam disk to a desired set position; 
 moving the holding member to a retracted position with a removable element; 
 removing the removable element from engagement with the lancet needle; 
 maintaining the holding member in the retracted position until the trigger is triggered; 
 disposing the skin engaging end of the lancet device against a user's skin; and 
 triggering the trigger to cause movement of the holding member. 
 
     
     
       34. A method of using the lancet device of  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 rotating the cam disk to a desired set position; 
 moving the holding member to a retracted position with a removable element; 
 removing the removable element from engagement with the front end of the holding member; 
 maintaining the holding member in the retracted position until the trigger is triggered; 
 disposing the skin engaging end of the lancet device against a user's skin; and 
 triggering the trigger to cause movement of the holding member. 
 
     
     
       35. A single-use lancet device, comprising:
 a body comprising a skin engaging end that includes a lancet opening through which a lancet needle extends; 
 a trigger; 
 a holding member movably mounted within the body and comprising a front end a rear end; 
 the holding member being movable between a retracted position and an extended position; 
 a stop projection coupled to the holding member; 
 a cam disk comprising indicia and cam surfaces which can be contacted by the stop projection; and 
 the cam disk being rotatably mounted to a projection that extends inwardly from the body, 
 wherein, once caused to move to the extended position by the trigger, the holding member is prevented from moving back to the retracted position, and 
 wherein the single-use lancet device is usable for forming a skin puncture only once. 
 
     
     
       36. A single-use lancet device, comprising:
 a body comprising a skin engaging end that includes a lancet opening through which a lancet needle extends; 
 a trigger; 
 a holding member movably mounted within the body and comprising a front end a rear end; 
 the holding member being movable between a retracted position and an extended position; 
 a stop surface coupled to the holding member; 
 a circular cam disk at least partially arranged within the body; 
 the cam disk comprising indicia and cam surfaces which can be contacted by the stop projection; and 
 the cam disk being configured to rotate at least partially and protruding from at least one side wall of the body, 
 wherein, once caused to move to the extended position by the trigger, the holding member is prevented from moving back to the retracted position.